1. Which Scheme am I in?
You can use this tool to find out which scheme you are in.
2. Who can I contact about my Pension?
Aptia
Telephone: 0370 850 0712
Email: firstpensions.uk@aptia-uk.com
Address: Aptia, Maclaren House, Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0FP
3. How do I retire?
You will need to contact Aptia and provide three months’ notice which should be sufficient for you to receive your pension benefits in time. You can contact Aptia by telephone on 0370 850 0712 or by email at firstpensions.uk@aptia-uk.com.
4. I need help with cashing in or transferring my pension, what do I do?
Please contact Aptia and they will let you know what options you may have and how they may be exercised.
You can contact Aptia by telephone on 0370 850 0712 or by
email at firstpensions.uk@aptia-uk.com.
5. How do I know if the recent changes to the pensions schemes apply to me?
Any changes to the schemes have been communicated via letter to your home address. We also provided a summary in last years newsletter. If you are concerned about anything you can email the Trustee and we can help to answer specific questions or direct you to the right person.
6. Can a retired member still make additional contributions to boost pension amount in the years ahead?
This is now a closed scheme and you can no longer make contributions.
7. Why has the transfer amount of my pension dropped in value?
In a defined benefit pension scheme there is a potential for transfer values to drop from time to time. Transfer values can drop due to market conditions and we have seen a continued increase in gilt yields for example which can impact on transfer values.
8. How can my partner benefit from my pension (when I pass or now)?
When you pass a spouse’s pension is payable under the Scheme, the amount of which is prescribed in the Scheme rules. This is payable to your legal spouse. If you do not have a legal spouse, there is discretion for the Trustee to pay the survivor’s pension to a dependant. You would also have the option (with the agreement of the Trustee to surrender some of your pension so a further pension is payable to any spouse or dependant on your death. A lump sum may also be payable on your death and it is important to keep your expression of wish form updated as whilst that is not binding on the Trustee, it is something that the Trustee will have regard to. Your partner cannot benefit from your pension prior to your death.
9. How do I find a lost pension?
To trace pensions from previous jobs, we would suggest getting in touch with your previous employers to find out the status of your pensions. If this route proves to be unsuccessful, you may wish to try and trace your pension through the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details. This is a free online service to help you trace your pension(s). Also, you can contact the Pension Tracing Service on 0800 731 0193.